From the superintendent
Thank you, Albany, for
supporting your schools
When money is tight,
budgeting is difficult. This is
true whether you’re running a
household, a business or a
school district.
That is why I am particularly grateful to Albany residents for their May 17
approval of the school district’s $206.5 million budget
for 2011-12. I also am appreciative of our teachers, whose
Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D.
Superintendent
agreement to a pay freeze for
next year allowed us to present the community with a
budget containing no tax-levy increase.
The budget vote signals that this community makes a priority of its children and its schools, even in hard economic
times. I thank Albany voters for supporting our students.
We have much to look forward to in 2011-12, starting
with the redesign of Albany High School.
Albany High will be a “new” school when it re-opens
Sept. 6. Technically, it will be four smaller schools, or academies, under one roof. These academies will help assure
that no student’s needs are overlooked and that every student has the opportunity to work to his or her potential.
Each academy will have its own theme, reflected in the
choice of electives students can take once they meet the requirements of their core courses in English, math, science
and social studies. The themes – Citizenship, Discovery,
Leadership and Innovation – will give students a chance to
sample a range of ideas and experiences with an eye toward
careers and college.
Again, voters supported our district when they authorized using state dollars to add an addition to the high school
and make other improvements (at no cost to taxpayers!). We
also will continue this summer with ongoing upgrades at
Albany High, including renovating bathrooms and locker
rooms, as part of the facilities work voters approved in 2010.
This work comes shortly after the completion of our
decade-long project to renovate or rebuild the district’s elementary and middle schools. Each building is technologically up-to-date and energy efficient, making for
outstanding learning environments in every part of the city.
Of course, bricks and mortar do not define a school
district.
The approved 2011-12 budget allows the district to continue to offer rich programming for all students. This includes full-day prekindergarten, music and art from
elementary through high school, technology for all grades,
sports, tutoring and mentoring, Advanced Placement and
International Baccalaureate classes at the high school ...
and much, much more.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the
members of the Class of 2011. Once again our seniors were
accepted into top colleges and universities throughout the
country (see page 3 for a list), demonstrating the talent and
diversity of our graduates and programs.
I wish them the best of luck and am confident they are
well-prepared for the next stage of their lives.
Have a safe and healthy summer.
Voices
Q: What is your favorite summer activity?
My favorite thing to do during summer
is to go swimming. I really can’t swim but
I love being in the water because it’s comfortable. Since I am in the water a lot, I
will soon learn how to swim. I also love to
act like I’m swimming, to show off my
skills that I don’t have, to get wet and to go
under water. Swimming under water is really all I can do but I can’t hold my breath for too long. I promise
I will be swimming all summer!
My favorite sport is tennis. During the
summertime I enjoy playing with my
friends and going to the 15 LoveYouth Albany Tennis Lessons. I have taken classes
during the summer since freshman year,
and it is a great program. Their goal is to
reach out to underprivileged youngsters,
which is a goal I highly respect. So last
summer I spent my spare time volunteering for them to teach
young children tennis basics.
– Etiea Cherry, fifth grade
Sheridan Preparatory Academy
– Brook Nichols, senior
Albany High School
What are you going to do when summer comes? Most people say it’s an easy
question to answer. Then another question comes up. “Well, what’s your favorite summer activity or anything you
like to do in the summer?” To that question, I would reply, “I don’t really have a
favorite activity to do.” I’ll probably stay
up late and sleep late. And maybe do other fun things like play
video games.
My favorite summer activity is playing in the water when it floods, when it
pours and pours and pours. I love the
feel of my bare feet splashing against the
puddles. The only downside is that my
basement floods, but who cares? I love
it while it lasts. One time, it was so deep
it went up to my stomach! My dad and I
took out his kayak and we went around my neighborhood in it. I
LOVE FLOODS!
– Dawn Dinh, seventh grade
North Albany Academy
– Mitchell Ringwald, fifth grade
New Scotland Elementary School
My favorite summer activity is softball.
I like softball because it allows me to play a
sport that makes me have trust in myself.
Softball is also a nice activity because you
can meet new people if you are on a team.
I also like this extraordinary sport because
kids, adults, men and women can be known
for playing it.
My favorite summer activity is drawing, for two reasons. First, it is a great
way to pass the time. When I become
bored I find a paper and pencil, sit by the
air conditioner and just begin drawing.
Second, practicing art forms will prepare
me for art classes next year. Those are
two reasons I enjoy drawing as my favorite summer activity, but I could draw 24/7 anytime!
– Julia Kane, third grade
Eagle Point Elementary School
My favorite summer activity is going to
summer camp. I wait all school year long
until I can finally go to camp for eight wonderful weeks under the sun. From the bus
ride up in the morning to swimming, boating, singing, sports and dancing, it’s the best
summer day anyone could ask for. It’s been
such a huge and influential part of my life
since I was younger, and I can’t wait to one day be a counselor.
City School District of Albany
Academy Park
Albany, New York 12207
2
www.albanyschools.org
– Lisa Thompson-Villa, teacher
William S. Hackett Middle School
At a Glance: Montessori Magnet School
Montessori Magnet School began in 1993 and for 12 years was located in the former Cathedral Academy near Lincoln Park. In 2005, the school moved to its current home at 65 Tremont St., in Westland Hills – a brand-new building
with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
Grades served: prekindergarten-5
Students: 330 | Teachers: 23 | Total employees: 55
Building opens: 7:35 a.m.
Breakfast begins: 7:40 a.m.
School day begins: 8 a.m.
School day ends: 2:30 p.m.
After-school child care ends: 5:45 p.m.
Capital Education is published by the
Lisa Angerame at (518) 475-6066
or [email protected].
During the summer months I like to
relax and take trips with my husband.
We enjoy going to the Jazz Festival in
Saratoga the last weekend in June. We
consider it the official start of summer.
We enjoy the music, vendors and the
good food!
– Allie Kugler, junior
Albany High School
Points of distinction:
• One of three themed magnet schools in district
• Only public Montessori school in the Capital Region
• Student-directed environmental focus, with recycling,
gardening, waste reduction, composting and more
• Indoor turtle pond and aquariums
• Coming soon: terrariums, a greenhouse and additional
gardens
City School District of Albany.
Please direct comments about the newsletter,
story ideas and questions to
Ron Lesko at (518) 475-6065
or [email protected], or
– Shaseem Sueksagan, sixth grade
Giffen Memorial Elementary School
Programs and Partnerships:
• Albany County Courthouse volunteer reading mentors
• American Montessori Society
• Chess Club
• The College of Saint Rose
• Full-day prekindergarten and kindergarten
• Hudson Valley Community College
• KIDS Consortium
• Junior Achievement
• Learn and Serve America
• Legal Lives education through the Albany County
District Attorney’s Office
• Montessori Community Council
• One World Classroom
• Police Athletic League
• Reading mentors
• Robotics
• The Sage Colleges
• Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center
• University at Albany
• Yearly variety show
What makes our school special?
One of three themed magnet schools in the City School
District of Albany, Montessori Magnet School embraces
the Montessori philosophy that each child learns at his or
her own pace using all five senses. Teaching focuses on
hands-on activities, investigation and interaction with
others. The Montessori curriculum is carefully structured
and integrated to make connections among the subjects
of English, math, science and social studies.
Did you know?
At Montessori, we believe that we have a responsibility
to our school, our community and our world. Our growing environmental theme is linked directly to literacy and
this helps us to live up to this responsibility.
SP R IN G 2011